Regent student suspended for posting (Pat) Robertson picture files suit

[brooklynite]

Source: Associated Press

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Regent University law student who was expelled for posting an unflattering photo of school founder Pat Robertson on the Internet filed a lawsuit against the university and Robertson on Thursday.

Adam M. Key, 23, claims in the federal suit that Regent officials violated his free speech and due process rights for expressing his "Christian religious and political opinions" when it suspended him in October. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Texas, where Key lives.

Key posted a picture of Regent's chancellor and president making what appears to be an obscene gesture on his Facebook social-networking page. Key said he copied the photo from an online video in which Robertson scratches his face with his middle finger.

Regent officials said the posting violated standards of conduct that prohibit the display of obscene material outside an academic context. The school suspended Key pending a mental health evaluation after he refused to publicly apologize for the posting or successfully defend it in a legal brief.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5340313.html

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"Mental Health evaluation"?

[opihimoimoi]

1. The Fundies eat their own.....

[Dhalgren]

2. Why would Regents school consider an un-doctored, public image

of Pat Robertson to be obscene? I mean, I know why I would consider that, but why do they? And that "Mental Health evaluation" thing - spooky. Reminds you of Stalin's USSR, doesn't it?

[zeemike]

3. Hmmm,,,,that would mean that Pat Robertson

was guilty of making an obscene gesture (assuming an untouched photo)

[Dhalgren]

5. Excellent point. Of course, Pat will be censured. Of course...

[LiberalFighter]

7. I would challenge them on requiring any mental evaluation

next thing they will require coeds to take a virginity test. Or for male students be required to have a circumcision.

[JBoy]

4. I'm ambivalent about this story

On one hand, I hate everything about the concept of Regent University, and think their reaction to this is "un-American".

On the other hand, Dude! You're attending Regent University. How could you not know what you were getting into?

All in all, I hope it draws some attention to these nutbags. As a minimum, this experience is likely the best education this Adam Key guy has gotten since he's been there.

[NJCher]

8. fundy parents

Maybe he has fundy parents who insisted on sending him there. If that's the case, I applaud him!



Cher

[madeline_con]

6. If he fails the "evaluation" can he sue for discrimination? n/t

[BR_Parkway]

9. How can they possibly be eligble for Federal Funds?

Kallinen said that because the private university receives federal funds, it is required under the U.S. Higher Education Act to respect students' freedom of religion and expression.

The whole concept of that university is totally against freedom of religion and expression. Their way, their dogma, their interpretation of religion is the only way - I can't believe that they are at the Federal trough